Meet Michelle Iwanicki, the Lead Medical Assistant for our Raymond site and Mentor for the Great Bay Program. Michelle's journey with us began nearly eight years ago, and her dedication to patient care and crucial role in mentoring new staff make her an invaluable asset to our team. Read on to learn more about Michelle’s passion for healthcare, her love for Star Wars, and her valuable advice on maintaining a healthy balance.
LHC: Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? How did you get here?
Michelle: I've lived in New Hampshire my whole life and wouldn't want it any other way. I loved growing up in New England! After High School I attended Manchester Community College and graduated in 2016 with an Associates of Science in Medical Assisting. My job search was not easy at the time but after applying to over 40 jobs I got a call from the HR department asking me to interview in the Raymond Office. I have to give credit where it's due because I really would not have this job without Stacy Dionne and her taking a leap of faith with hiring an MA that had no experience aside from classroom clinicals. Fast forward almost 8 years and I am still here!
LHC: What do you like most about working at Lamprey Health Care?
Michelle: I know others have said this, but it really is the people and how we all want to help patients in any way that we can. I started at the Raymond site as a young 20-year-old; little did I know that a community of people and coworkers would have such a big impact on my career and who I have become.
LHC: Did you always want to work in healthcare? What would you do if you weren't doing this?
Michelle: I've always enjoyed helping people. I get reminded by patients almost every day that I am in the right field working in health care. I remember growing up I had a baby doll that I would play doctor with all the time, I had a cute Fisher-Price kit that included a plastic stethoscope, bandages and even a little chest x-ray. I always wanted to do something in the medical field but I guess if that wasn’t an option for me, I would have loved to be a grade school teacher. Working with kiddos in the office is always so much fun…except for when they need shots.
LHC: What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
Michelle: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, boyfriend, and friends. I will admit that I am a big nerd; I do love to binge watch Star Wars and Marvel movies, and even building Legos. I joke with my boyfriend that we only have jobs to support our ever-growing Lego collection.
LHC: What advice would you give to others to be healthy?
Michelle: I think people need to be reminded that being healthy is both a physical and mental task. If you happen to spend any time at the Raymond office, you may hear clinical staff members say, “I’m taking a break for safety’s sake!” and I could not agree with this more! Being self-aware of when you need a mental or physical break from something is so important. Taking a few minutes to step away from the computer, a frustrating task, never ending desktop work, or dreaded paperwork can help you feel more productive and not wear you down so fast.